SRC-DPW S.B. 876 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 876
76R7317 BDH-DBy: Shapiro
Education
4/27/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law grants the commissioner of education the authority to
"reconstitute" public schools that are rated as "low performing."  During
"reconstitution" all or part of a campus' employees are required to resign
and reapply for jobs with the district.  In Texas, this process is only
used in extreme cases.  This bill would require the commissioner of
education to establish a mandatory reconstitution process for chronic
low-performing schools to attempt to address citizens' concerns over the
plight of students who are unable to leave "low performing" public schools. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 876 sets forth criteria and procedures for restaffing
low-performing public schools. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 39G, Education Code, by adding Section 39.132, as
follows: 

Sec. 39.132. SANCTIONS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOLS.  Provides that a school
considered to be a low-performing campus under Section 39.131(b) for two
consecutive years, must be placed on probationary status by the
commissioner of education (commissioner), during which time the school is
required to seek and receive assistance regarding staffing and resource
allocation. Authorizes the commissioner to request the revocation of a
principal's certification by the State Board of Educator Certification and
order some or all classroom teachers to be reassigned to other campuses or
positions, if improvement is not demonstrated after the probationary period
has ended.  Provides that employment at a campus for which the commissioner
orders reassignment for classroom teachers under Subsection (b), is grounds
for nonrenewal of a contract under Chapter 21E. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 1999 - 2000
school year. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.